With this 2018-19 season pretty much being over for the Los Angeles Lakers, it would be that time to start looking toward free agency with some hope that another superstar be it Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving or Kemba Walker decides to join the team - or maybe eventually trading the roster for Anthony Davis to help please LeBron James. But what if the Lakers don't pull through in getting one of those big names? That's where this list comes along. Here are 5 Non-Superstar free agents the Lakers should consider in free agency.
*Khris Middleton is the very first name that comes to mind when thinking about non-Superstar players even though he had earned his first All-Star honors this season. Middleton right now is one of the vital pieces to the Milwaukee Bucks run, averaging 17.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists on 38% from 3. Playing along side a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Middleton is an excellent option to spread the floor for the likes of LeBron James or Lonzo Ball.
2. Trevor Ariza
*This one is pretty obvious. The one thing the Lakers desperately lack is a solid 3 and D veteran to help get stops and knock down threes on the other end. They would get one in Trevor Ariza. Ariza, a former NBA Champion with the Lakers in 2009, would be a welcoming addition into what the Lakers plans are as he wpuld2 be what Shane Battier was to LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in Miami. Ariza has been put in tough spots this year after willingly signing a one year deal tp be a veteran for the Phoenix Suns and then traded before the deadline to the struggling Washington Wizards.
3. Tyreke Evans
*Every team needs a player that could provide a lift off the bench and someone who is as versatile as Tyreke Evans. This would be a major steal for the Lakers if Tyreke Evans was to sign there. He brings everything to the table that Lance Stephenson brings minus the weird antics and a better shooting stroke. After having a breakout season last year with the Memphis Grizzlies, Evans this year has not had the same opportunity with the Indiana Pacers though his impact is clear.
*Okay let's get weird for a bit. The Lakers gave up on D'Angelo Russell a few years ago claiming he wasn't a leader and chose Lonzo Ball over him. Russell has broken out into an All-Star this year for the breakout Brooklyn Nets and could only continue to get better - so why would the Lakers consider Russell in free agency? It's because Russell is the literal embodiment of what Kyrie Irving was to LeBron James in Cleveland. No I'm not saying Russell is as skilled as Kyrie. I am saying that what makes LeBron succeed is a lead guard who is capable of getting his own shot, who is exceptional in pick and roll and catch and shoot situations. That is what the Lakers could have used. Russell being a RFA this offseason, it's pretty hard to see Brooklyn let him go after his breakout.
5. Al Horford
*Though no longer a superstar, Al Horford remains one of the most versatile bigs in the game today who is still exceptionally great both offensively and defensively. Though the Celtics have Jayson Tatum and Kyrie Irving, it's really Al Horford who keeps that engine alive. Pairing Horford up with LeBron James would be a match made in heaven because LeBron has never played with a big as versatile as Horford. Chris Bosh and Zydrunas Illgauskas were both versatile bigs but none had the prowess Horford has.
